Tool or implement for feeding punch presses and the like



Jan. 14, 1930. H. HARRIS TOOL OR IMPLEMENT FOR FEEDING PUNCH PRESSES ANDTHE LIKE Filed Aug. 18, 1,928

V m s INVENTOR [GP/ H Ha 7"]"15 Patented Jan. 14-, 1930 *PATE TOOL ORIMPLEMENT FOR FEEDING PUNCH PRESSES AND THE LIKE Application filedAugust 18, 1928.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an implementor tool for feeding punch presses and the like which is efficient inthat it has a secure grip upon the work, is compact permitting theinsertion of work in punch presses and the like having short strokes orwhich have a relatively narrow opening when the head is retracted.

Second, to provide an implement of the class described which may bereadily adapted for work of difierent character and machines ofdifferent types.

Third, to provide an implement of the class described in which the workmay not only be fed into the machine but may be discharged from themachine not only by means of the tool gripping the work but by a blastof air. Fourth, to provide an implement of the class described utilizingair under pressure.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appearfrom the descrip tion to follow. The invention is defined and pointedout in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating my improved implement graspinga sheet of metal.

Fig. 2 is a detail view partially in central longitudinal section.

As embodied in the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawing, myimproved implement comprises a head member 1 having a pistol-griphandpiece 2. This head member and the handpiece thereof have an inletpassage 3 for air under pressure, this passage being disposedlongitudinally of the handpiece which is provided with a coupling 1 bymeans of which an air hose may be attached.

The head member also has a vertical air discharge passage 5, thepassages 3 and 5 being connected through the valve chamber 6. This valvechamber is in the form of a bore disposed transversely of the passagesand has a plug-like member 7 threaded therein and provided with a valveseat 8 for the ball valve 9. This valve is arranged to seat towardthepassage 5, that is, so that the pres- .50 sure of air acts to hold thevalve on its seat.

Serial No. 300,402

A coiled spring 10 also acts to seat the valve, insuring its initialseating.

The member 7 has a passage 11 therein communicating through the passage12 in the annular groove 121 with the passage 5. This groove is providedso that it is not necessary to register the port or passage 12 with thepassage 5.

The member 7 carries a valve actuating plunger 13 which projects to beengaged by the trigger-like lever 14: which is pivoted to the headmember 15, the lever being thus positioned so that it may beconveniently grasped by the operator grasping the handpiece 2.

The exhaust nozzle 16 is preferably angled,

as-shown, and swiveled sothat it may be I swung in any desireddirection. It should, however, direct the air away from the operator,but can also be used to blow finished work off the machine.

The suction cup 17 is preferably of flexible leather and is providedwith a feather edge 18. This cup is mounted on the upper arm 19 whichopens into the cup as shown and is connected through the coupling member20 to the suction passage 21in the head member opening to the passage 6.

The arm 19 is preferably a piece of copper tubing flanged at 22 andclamped to the coupling member 20 by means of the clamping sleeve 23.This provides a secure joint and permits changing the arms as may bedesired, that is, arms of diiferent lengths or shapes may besubstituted, Also, thearm 19 may be bent if desired, a further advantagein formingit of copper or other bendable material being that in theevent it should be engaged by the dies, it is not likely to seriouslyinjure the dies. Further, it may be easily adjusted to the particularwork, that is, should the work have an inclined surface for instancethat it is desired to engage, the arm can be bent or adjusted toproperly present the suction cup thereto. The work 24: illustrated is aflat piece of sheet metal.

In use, the implement is connected to a source of air under pressure andwhen it is desired to pick up a piece of work, the suction cup ispressed down upon the same, opening the valve permitting a blast of airto pass through the discharge passage 6 and this, owing to theconnection With the suction cup, produces a suction "or a partial vacuumin the suction cup. It will be understood that the suction continues aslong as the valve is open. However, as soon as the valve is released,the suction is broken and the Work released.

By proper direction of the nozzle, the blast of air may be e'fiectivelyused to dislodge certain types of work from a machine such as apunchpress. It Will be understood that the exact timing or o aening of thevalve With the.

positioning of the suction cup on the Work is not of importance exceptthat it the valve be opened before the suction cup is pressed againstthe Work there is a C8I'Litl1'l amount or" air Wasted.

By the aid of my improved implement or tool, Work may be rapidly fed andremoved from machines With safety to the operator and also to themachine. Experience has shown that its use increases production as theoperators are relieved from anxiety or tear of being injured. Productioncan be increased also because the suction leather cup grasps the Workmore quickly than the hand in most cases, even on jobs not dangerous tothe operators hands.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An implement of the class described comprising a head member having apistolgrip handpiece, an inlet passage disposed longitudinally of saidhandpiece, a vertical dis charge passage and a suction passage openingto said discharge passage, a ball control valve tor said dischar epassage arranged so that the pressure acts to seat the same, a springacting toseat said valve, auvalve actuating plunger, a trigger-likevalve actuating lever pivoted on said head member to coact With saidplunger, a suction cup,'and a. tubular supporting arm for said suctioncup adjustably mounted on said head member and connecting said suctioncup with said suction passage.

2. An implement of the class described comprising a head member having apistolgrip handpiece, an inlet passage disposed longitudinally of saidhandpiece, a vertical dis charge passage and a suction passage openingto said discharge passage, a control valve for said discharge passage, aspring acting to seat said valve, a valve actuating plunger, atrigger-like lever pivoted on said head member, a suction cup, and atubular supporting arm for said suction cup connecting said suction cup-With said suction passage.

3. An implement of the class described comprising a head member having apistolgrip handpiece, an inlet passage disposed longitudinally of saidhandpiece, a Vertical discharge passage and a suction passage opening tosaid discharge passage, a control valve for said discharge passage, aspring acting to seat said valve, a valve actuating plunger, atrigger-like valve actuating lever pivoted on said head member, asuction cup, a tubular angled supporting arm for said suction cupadjustably mounted on said head member and connecting said suction cupWith said suction passage, and an angled exhaust nozzle for saiddischarge passage rotatably mounted on said head member.

a. An implement of the class described comprising a head member having apistolgrip hand piece, an inlet passage disposed longitudinally of saidhandpiece, a vertical discharge passage and a suction passage opening tosaid discharge passage, a control valve for said discharge passage, atrigger-like valve actuating lever pivoted on said head member, asuction cup, a supporting arm for said suction cup having a passagetherein connecting said suction cup With said suction passage, and anexhaust nozzle for said discharge passage adjustably mounted on saidhead member.

5. An implement of the class described comprising a head member having apistol-V,

grip handpiece, an inlet passage disposed longitudinally of saidhandpiece, a vertical discharge passage and a suction passage opening tosaid discharge passage, a control valve for said discharge passage, atrigger-like valve actuating lever pivoted on said head member, asuction cup, and a supporting arm for said suction cup having a passagetherein connecting said suction cup With said suction passage.

6. An implement of the class described comprising a headmember providedWith a handpiece and having an inlet passage, a discharge passage and asuction passage opening to said discharge passage, a control valve forsaid discharge passage, a suction cup, a tubular angled supporting armfor said suction cup adj ustably mounted on said head member andconnecting said suction cup With said suction passage, and an angledexhaust nozzle for said suction passage rotatably mounted on said headmember. s

7. An implement of the class described comprising a head memberprovidedvvith a handpiece and having aninlet passage, a dischargepassage and a suction passage opening to said discharge passage, acontrol valve for said discharge passage, a suction cup, a tubularsupporting arm for said suction cup connecting said suction cup Withsaid suction passage, and an angled exhaust nozzle for said suctionpassage.

8. An implement oi": the class described comprising a head memberprovided with a handpiece and having an inlet passage, a

discharge passage open to the atmosphere and a suction passage openingto said discharge passage, a control valve for said inlet passagedisposed in advance of said suction passage connection to said dischargepassage, a suction cup, and a tubular angled supporting arm for saidsuction cup adjustably mounted on said head member and connecting saidsuction cup with said suction passage.

9. An implement of the class described comprising a head member providedwith a handpiece and having an inlet passage for air under pressure, adischarge passage and a suction passage opening to said dischargepassage whereby a suction is produced in said suction passage by thedischarge'of air under pressure through said discharge passage, acontrol valve for said discharge passage, a flexible suction cup, and asupporting arm for said suction cup having a passage therein connectingsaid suction cup with said suction passage.

10. An implement of the class described comprising a head memberprovided with a pistol-grip handpiece and having a passage therein forair under pressure exhausting to the atmosphere, a control valve forsaid passage, a trigger-like actuating lever for said valve, a suctioncup, and a supporting arm for said cup having a passage opening withinthe cup and communicating with said air passage, said air passage havingan exhaust nozzle adjustable to control the direction of the exhaustair.

11. An implement of the class described comprising a head memberprovided with a pistol-grip handpiece and having a passage therein forair under pressure exhausting to the atmosphere, a control valve forsaid passage, a trigger-like actuating lever for said valve, a suctioncup, and a supporting arm a for said cup having a passage opening withinthe cup and communicating with said air passage.

12. An implement of the class described comprising a head memberprovided with a handpiece and having a valve controlled passage for airunder pressure exhausting to the atmosphere, a flexible suction cupprovided with a feather edge, and a tubular bendable supporting arm forsaid cup opening thereto and connected to said head member so that thedischarge of air under pressure through said air passage in said headwill partially exhaust said suction cup.

13. An implement of the class described comprising a head memberprovided with a handpiece and having a valve controlled passage for airunder pressure exhausting to the atmosphere, a flexible suction cupprovided with a feather edge, and a tubular supporting arm for said cupopening thereto and connected to said head member sothat the dischargeof air under pressure through said air passage in said head member willpartially exhaust said suction cup.

14. An implement of the class described comprising a head memberprovided with a handpiece and having a' valve controlled passage for airunder pressure exhausting to the atmosphere, at flexible suction cup,and a tubular bendable supporting arm for said cup opening thereto andconnected to said head member so that the discharge of air underpressure through said air passage in said head member will partiallyexhaust said suction cup.

15. An implement of the class described comprising a head member havinga passage therein for air under pressure having a discharge open to theatmosphere, a control valve for said passage, and a suction cup mountedon said head member and connected with said air passage at the rear ofsaid control valve. I

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CARL H. HARRIS.

